Malawi’s Leader of Opposition, Simplex Chithyola Banda, has accused President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s administration of failing to address the broader economic challenges facing the country during its first year in office.
In an assessment of the government’s first year, Chithyola Banda points to persistent fuel shortages, foreign exchange challenges, rising poverty, food insecurity and concerns over the management of public resources.
He has also criticised the government’s focus on reducing the price of maize, arguing that cheaper nsima alone cannot resolve the wider economic hardships facing Malawian households.
“Cheap nsima cannot buy fuel. Cheap nsima cannot pay school fees. Cheap nsima cannot buy medicine. Cheap nsima cannot fix the economy.”
The assessment comes one year after the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) returned to power under President Mutharika following the 2025 presidential election.
According to the opposition leader, the government has also fallen short on several campaign promises, including job creation, affordable fertiliser, free secondary education, Constituency Development Fund projects and the fight against corruption.
FUEL CRISIS
On fuel, Chithyola Banda questions the government’s decision to move from open tendering to government-to-government procurement, arguing that the arrangement has failed to resolve Malawi’s persistent fuel supply problems.
The assessment also raises concerns over the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA), particularly the country’s failure to maintain a 60-million-litre strategic fuel reserve.
It alleges that approximately US$403,605 was transferred following a fraudulent payment request involving a fake email and forged bank letter. Two senior NOCMA officials have reportedly been arrested, while the Anti-Corruption Bureau has summoned the company’s Chief Executive Officer, according to the opposition assessment.
AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
Agriculture is another major area of concern.
The opposition says some farmers are selling a 50kg bag of maize for about K20,000, equivalent to K400 per kilogramme—below the government’s minimum price of K500 per kilogramme.
It accuses ADMARC and the National Food Reserve Agency of failing to provide adequate support to farmers while the government prepares to import 200,000 tonnes of maize.
Chithyola Banda also questions the implementation of the Affordable Inputs Programme, claiming that only 46,364 metric tonnes of fertiliser had been delivered against a promised 102,845 metric tonnes.
The opposition further warns that Malawi could face worsening food insecurity, saying the country produced approximately 2.9 million tonnes of maize against an estimated national requirement of 3.6 million tonnes.
AMARYLLIS HOTEL DEAL
Chithyola Banda has also raised concerns over the purchase of the Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre by the Public Service Pension Trust Fund.
The transaction, valued at approximately K128.7 billion, has already attracted parliamentary scrutiny and competing claims over responsibility for the deal.
According to the opposition assessment, independent valuations placed the business and property at substantially lower figures, while the Reserve Bank of Malawi reportedly ordered a halt to the transaction in November 2025.
The statement argues that subsequent payments, despite the reported order, raise serious questions about institutional controls and the protection of public funds.
“This shows a collapse of institutional discipline, and a disregard for the very controls that exist to protect public money.”
FOREX RESTRICTIONS
Foreign exchange restrictions also feature prominently in the assessment.
Chithyola Banda criticises regulations restricting the amount of foreign currency individuals can hold without permission from the Reserve Bank of Malawi, as well as limits on the amount travellers can take out of the country.
“A government that has to police a traveller’s US$100 has lost control of the economy.”
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT
Youth unemployment is another major concern.
The statement cites government figures putting youth unemployment at 6.9%, while Ministry of Labour records reportedly show that only 1,841 of 47,083 registered young job seekers had been placed in employment.
According to the assessment, this represents a placement rate of just 3.91%.
The opposition says the figures demonstrate the scale of the employment challenge facing Malawi’s young people.
SEPARATION OF POWERS
Chithyola Banda also accuses the Executive of putting pressure on Parliament after the Speaker established joint committees to investigate matters involving NOCMA, the pension fund, passport services, prison conditions, water boards and mining.
He argues that the Executive’s response to parliamentary scrutiny raises serious concerns about the separation of powers.
“A mature democracy respects the separation of powers.”
OPPOSITION PROPOSALS
Among the measures proposed by the opposition are:
- A return to open tendering for fuel procurement.
- Rebuilding the country’s strategic fuel reserve.
- Replacing the Affordable Inputs Programme with an electronic voucher system.
- Establishing a K100 billion Youth Enterprise Fund.
- Reversing the Amaryllis Hotel transaction.
- Conducting forensic audits at NOCMA, ADMARC, the National Food Reserve Agency, the pension fund and the farm subsidy programme.
“MALAWI IS NOT FOR SALE”
Chithyola Banda concludes the assessment by accusing the DPP administration of failing to live up to its promise of “proven leadership.”
“One year on, Malawians are poorer, young people are losing hope, pensioners’ savings are at risk, and Parliament is under pressure.”
He concludes:
“But Malawi is not for sale. Our farmers are not for sale. Our youth are not for sale.”
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